Timing device



" E w .mmli== INVENTOR OTTO H. NIENDORFF' ATTORNEY O. H. NIENDORFF TIMING DEVICE Filed June 14, 1949 Dec. 26, 1950 Patented Dec. 26, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TIMING DEVICE Otto H. Niendorff, Millburn, N. J. Application June 14, 1949, Serial No. 98,957

Claims. 1

This invention relates to timing devices, and more particularly to such devices that are capable of supplying uniform periodic beats which are adapted to be felt, as distinguished from heard, by a user.

A timing device constructed in accordance with this invention is adapted to create a uniform but readily varied beat that is adapted to be felt by an individual, rather than heard, as in the case of a metronome. The heat supplied assists the individual user to establish uniform rhythmic timing or pacing, as in the case of a bowlers approach to the foul line and subsequent delivery of the bowling ball. While the timing device of this invention is especially useful in bowling, it maybe advantageously employed in other sports, such as in timing the swing of a golf club. l3evices constructed in accordance with the invention may also be readily and advantageously used for other purposes, such as supplying rhythm in exercises and for creating a sensible but substantially inaudible beat note as a guide for the leader of a band or orchestra, or for a musician playing alone or practicing.

When used in the musical field, my timing device may be considered as being in the nature of a silent metronome in that it supplies sensible but substantially inaudible periodic beats. All musicians, whether professionals or students, practice regularly at prescribed rates of speed. Many of them find the audible beats created by conventional 'metronomes objectionable for the reason that such beats may be distracting or annoying, especially during the playing of light musical passages. The timing device of this invention obviates this objection as it eliminates the audible interference of the usual metronome, while supplying adequate guide beats through the sense of touch.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide an improved timing device so constructed and arranged as to create un form periodic beats which are adapted to be felt, as distinguished from heard, by a user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a timing device for supplying a sensible heat, the device being readily adjustable at the will of the user over a relatively wide range of beats, for example, over the musical range of 42 to 208 beats per minute.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated, including an outer case that is adequately sealed to prevent perspiration, or dust, dirt or other foreign particles borne by the atmosphere, from being admitted into its interior. I

A still further object of the invention is to provides. device for creating uniform periodic impacts of sufiicient magnitude to be felt by an individual, which device is small and may be secured to the wrist of the individual, and is compact and sturdy in construction, reasonable in manufacturing cost, and capable of performing its intended functions in an efficient and trouble-free manner.

To the end that the foregoing objects may be attained, the timing device of this invention may comprise a case that is generally similar in ap pearance and size to a conventional mans wrist watch. The case preferably includes a back wall or cover comprising a flexible imperforate diaphragm formed with a plurality of concentric corrugations and carrying a pin positioned centrally and projecting outwardly therefrom. The case may include a crystal, behind which is disposed a rotatable dial, suitably graduated to designate beats per minute.

Positioned within the case intermediate the diaphragm and the dial is a timing mechanism including train, an escape wheel and pallet elements, the latter being secured to a rotary first shaft that is supported within the case and axially movable with respect thereto. One end of the first shaft bears against the diaphragm opposite the pin and the other end of the shaft is preferably concentric with an adjusting gear that is connected to and is concentric with the dial. A balance wheel is mounted on the first shaft and a hair or regulator spring is secured at one end to the shaft and at its other end to a regulating lever connected to the dial.

The device also includes a and rotatably positioned in the case. The second shaft carries gear means which, when the shaft is in one axial position, engages the adiusting gear but does not engage the Winding gear, and when in another axial position engages the winding gear but not the adjusting gear.

The parts are so arranged that extensions or teeth carried by the escape wheel are adapted to strike the pallet elements during operation and create impacts in the first shaft, which impacts aretransmitted by the first shaft to the diaphragm and, in turn, transmitted by the diaphragm and pin to the wrist of a user.

The earlier enumerated objects, together with the advantages obtainable by the practice of this invention, will be readily understood by persons second shaft axially skilled in the art upon reference to the following in coniunction withdetailed description, taken the annexed drawing, which respectively describe and illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a timing device constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation, as seen from the right of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 3 with the parts in another relative position; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like ref erence numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the timing device of this invention may comprise a case generally indicated by numeral l0 and including a rim l2 having an integral bezel (4 which supports a crystal l6. Also integral with rim l2 are two pairs of diametrically opposed ears l8 and 20. Coupled to each pair of ears by the usual spring bar (not shown) is an element 22 of a strap or the like for securing the device to a person's wrist.

The case also includes a removably attached to the rear of the rim. Wall 24 comprises a circular flange 26 and a concave imperforate flexible diaphragm 28 formed by a plurality of concentric corrugations3ll. A pin member 32 abuts the central portion of the outer face of the diaphragm and is secured thereto by soldering 01' in any other manner known to the art. As is best shown in Figure .3, the exposed surface of the pin member constitutes a portion of the surface of a sphere and thus presents a smooth rounded surface. Secured to the inner face of the diaphragm directly opposite the pin member is an anvil 34.

Referring to Figure 3, a support frame 36 comprises a plate 38 and a plurality of arms 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 and 52. These arms may be struck or otherwise formed from plate 38 or may be separate elements suitably secured to the plate.

A first shaft or'balance staff 54 is rotatably mounted in arms 49 and 42 and is axially movable as allowed by arm 40 and anvil 34, against which it abuts. A pallet 56, best shown in Figures 4 and 5, is attached to shaft 54 and is provided with a pair of fingers 58 and 60 that are spaced apart axially and angularly with respect to the axis of shaft 54. The angularly adjacent surfaces of fingers 58 and 8d are rounded, as indicated at 52 and 64 in Figure 5.

Shaft 54 carries a balance wheel 66. A hair spring or regulator spring 68 is connected at one end to shaft 54 and at its other end to a regulator lever 'Hl depending from a dial disc or indicator 12. The dial disc is calibrated as designated at M to represent the number of beats per minute. The illustrated dial is calibrated to cover the range of 60 to 120 beats per minute. It will be back wall or cover 24 apparent that the range may be 42 to 208 beats indicated earlier, or any other de- An indicating mark 16 i formed per minute, as sired range. in the bezel. A regulator bevel gear 18 is concentric with and secured to the under surface of dial 12. This gear bears against arm 40 and is coaxial but freely and independently rotatable'with respect to shaft 54. Further, bevel gear 18 is adapted to be engaged by a first bevel pinion 80 secured to the inner end of an axially movable wind and'set stem or shaft 82 that is rotatably supported in arms 44 and 4B. A crown piece 84 is attached to the outer end of stem 82.

A second bevel pinion 86 is attached to stem 82 to the side of arm 44 remote from pinion and is adapted to mesh with a winding gear 88 carried at the upper end of an arbor or shaft 90 which is rotatably disposed between arms 50 and 52. Attached to arbor 90 is a spring barrel 92 that houses a main spring 94 for driving a main wheel or driving gear 96. The main wheel meshes with a pinion 98 that is affixed to a shaft I00 which is rotatably supported between arms 48 and 50. Also attached to shaft I00 is a bevel pinion I02 that engages a bevel gear I04 which is carried by a shaft E25 that is normal to the axis of shaft Hlil (Figure 3). Integral with bevel gear I04 is a gear I68 that meshes with a gear H0 in an escape wheel H2 carried by a shaft H4. The escape wheel includes a plurality of equi-spaced, preferably eight, extensions or teeth H6 having rounded leading edges H8, best shown in Figure 4.

Slidably mounted on rim i2 is a push button I29 of a conventional start and stop mechanism (not shown) to permit of ready starting and stop ping of the device at the will of the user.

For the purpose of outlining the mode of operation of the illustrated embodiment of the'invention, it is first assumed that the parts have been assembled and are in the relative position shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5. It is further assumed that the device is secured to the wrist of an individual by strap elements 22, that the main spring of the timing mechanism is in wound condition, that push button :29 has been moved to start position, and that the timing mechanism is operating, with escape wheel H2 rotating in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fi ure 3. One finger or tooth N6 of the escape Wheel has just struck and is sliding or wiping across upper pallet finger 58. The impact created in the pallet is transmitted downwardly by shaft 54 to anvil 24 and thence by diaphragm 28 and pin 32 to the wrist of the user. The impact thus created and transmitted is of suificient magnitude to be readily felt by the user. Simultaneous with the creation of the impact or beat, shaft 54 and balance wheel 56 are swung in one direction, as allowed by regulator spring 68. The escape wheel and pallet operate in a well known manner to impart oscillatory movement to the balance wheel.

The period of the impacts or beats created in and by the device may be readily adjusted through the medium of the wind and set stem 82. With the parts as shown, the instrument creates ninety impacts or beats per minute. The period may be increased or decreased by turning the wind and set stem in one direction or the other until the selected calibration on dial it aligns with indicator 15.

When it is desired to wind the device, stem 82 is moved axially toward the right, as viewed in Figure 3, to the extent permitted by arm 44. This brings bevel pinion 36 into meshing engagement with winding gear 38. Subsequent turn ing of stem 82 efiects winding of the main sprin 94 in the usual manner.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the construction, operation, and advantages of my present invention will be readily comprehended by persons skilled in the art. It is to be clearly understood, however, that various changes in the apparatus' set forth above may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, it being intended that all matter contained in the description or shown in the drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a case including a back wall that comprises a flexible diaphragm, said diaphragm being concave outwardly and including a plurality of concentric corrugations, a timing mechanism within the case, said case being adapted to be secured to a portion of the body, such as the wrist, of an individual, with at least a part of the back wall in direct contact with the individuals skin, and means responsive to operation of the timing mechanism for creating in the back wall uniformly periodic impacts of sufficient magnitude to be felt by the individual.

2. In a device of the character described, a case including a back wall, a timing mechanism within the case, means responsive to operation of the timing mechanism for creating uniformly periodic impacts in the back wall, said means comprising an axially movable rotary first shaft supported within the case and bearing at one end against the back wall, an indicator rotatable about the axis of the first shaft, an axially movable rotary second shaft supported within the case, said second shaft being adapted to impart rotation to the indicator when in one axial position and to wind the timing mechanism when in another axial position.

3. In a device of the character described, a case including a back wall, a timing mechanism within the case and including a balance wheel and a hair spring, means responsive to operation of the timing mechanism for creating uniformly periodic impacts in the back wall, said means comprising an axially movable first shaft supported within the cas and bearing at one end against the back wall, said balance wheel being secured to and rotatable with the first shaft. anindicator rotatably mounted in the case, said hair spring being connected at one end to the first shaft and at its other end to the indicator, an axially movable rotary second shaft supported within the case, said second shaft being adapted to impart rotation to the indicator when in one axial position and to wind the timing mechanism when in another axial position.

4. A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the back wall comprises a flexible diaphragm.

5. A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the back wall comprises a flexible diaphragm and a pin member positioned substantially centrally oi. the diaphragm and projecting outwardly thereof.

6. A device in accordance with claim 5, wherein the diaphragm is concave outwardly and includes a plurality of substantially concentric corrugations.

7. In a device of the character described, a case including a. back wall comprising a flexible diaphragm, a timing mechanism within the case, means responsive to operation of the timing mechanism for creating uniformly periodic impacts in the diaphragm, said means comprising an axially movable first shaft supported within the case and bearing at one end against the diaphragm, an indicator rotatably mounted in the case, an axially movable rotary second shaft supported within the case, a first gear secured to the indicator, a second gear secured to the timing mechanism, and gear means secured to the second shaft, said gear means engaging the first gear to impart rotation to the indicator when the second shaft is in one axial position and engaging the second gear to wind the timing mechanism when the shaft is in another axial position.

8. In a device of the character described, a case including a back wall comprising a flexible dia phragm, a timing mechanism within the case, means responsive to operation of the timing mechanism for creating uniformly periodic impacts in the diaphragm. said means comprising an axially movable rotary first shaft supported within the case and hearing at one end against the diaphragm, a dial rotatable about the axis of the first shaft, an axially movable rotary second shaft supported within the case, a first gear secured to the dial, a second gear secured to the timing mechanism, gear means secured to the second shaft, said gear means engaging the first gear means to impart rotation to the dial when the second shaft is in one axial position and engaging the second gear to wind the timing mechanism when the second shaft is in another axial position.

9. A device in accordance with claim 8, including a balance wheel secured to and rotatable with the first shaft and positioned intermediate the dial and the diaphragm, and a hair spring connected at one end to the first shaft and at its other end to the dial.

10. A device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the diaphragm is imperforate and includes a plurality of substantially concentric corrugations and a pin member is positioned substantially centrally of the diaphragm and projects outwardly thereof.

OTTO H. NIENDORFF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 637,366 Beethig Nov. 21, 1899 916,953 Lugrin Mar. 30, 1909 1,483,768 Bickerton Feb. 12, 1924 1,562,978 Muller Nov. 24, 1925 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 228,245 Switzerland Nov. 1, 1943 562,733 France Sept. 13, 1923 

